Why Does My Garage Door Get Stuck & How to Fix It

If you’ve ever wondered, “Why is my garage door not opening or closing properly?”, you’re not alone. Many Southwest Florida homeowners face the same challenges, and most problems come down to mechanical faults, sensor misalignment, or simple wear and tear.

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    In this guide, the experts at Mr. Top Garage Doors explain the most common reasons a garage door gets stuck going down or refuses to close, and how to troubleshoot these issues safely.

    Common Reasons Your Garage Door Gets Stuck

    When your garage door is stuck open or won’t go down, several mechanical or electrical problems could be behind it. Below are the seven most common causes behind a stuck garage door and what you can do to fix each one:

    Modern garage doors have two photo-eye sensors near the base of the tracks. They prevent the door from closing if something blocks the beam. If these sensors become dirty or misaligned, the system may think there’s an obstacle, even when there isn’t.

    Signs:

    • The door reverses before closing
    • The opener light blinks repeatedly
    • The garage door gets stuck halfway and won’t move

    Fix: Clean both sensors with a soft cloth and realign them so they face each other evenly.

    Small debris, stones, or bent tracks can make a garage door get stuck going up or down. A damaged track may cause the rollers to jam, leaving the garage door stuck on one side or uneven.

    Fix: Inspect the tracks for bends or dirt. Wipe them clean and apply a silicone-based lubricant to the rollers and hinges. Avoid grease, which collects dust and worsens the problem.

    If your garage door won’t open or seems heavy to lift manually, the torsion or extension springs might be broken. These springs counterbalance the door’s weight so when they fail, the door can’t move freely.

    Warning: Spring repair should always be handled by professionals. A snapped spring can be extremely dangerous to fix without proper tools or training.

    Cables help control the door’s movement and keep it balanced. When cables fray or pulleys seize up, the result can be a jammed garage door or one that gets caught halfway down.

    Fix: Look for frayed or uneven cables. If they’re damaged, call a garage door repair specialist to replace them before they snap completely.

    Sometimes, the issue with your garage door isn’t mechanical at all. A dead battery, faulty wiring, or misprogrammed opener can all make your garage door not open or close properly.

    Fix:

    • Replace the remote battery
    • Reprogram the opener according to the manufacturer’s instructions
    • Check for a locked wall button or “vacation mode” setting that prevents movement

    Your opener uses limit settings to tell the motor how far the door should travel. If these settings are too high or too low, the opener may think the door hit the floor and reverse.

    Fix: Adjust the down limit screw slightly with a screwdriver. Most openers have clear markings for “up” and “down” limits. If you’re unsure, check your opener’s manual or contact a technician.

    In Southwest Florida’s humid climate, metal parts can expand or rust, making your garage door stick when opening or closing. Wooden doors can also swell slightly, creating friction against the frame.

    Fix: Apply lubricant to moving parts regularly and keep the area around the tracks clean and dry.

    How to Troubleshoot a Garage Door That’s Stuck

    If your garage door is stuck closed, follow these simple steps before calling for repair services:

    Inspect the tracks and area around the door for debris or small objects that could block movement.

    If neither works, the problem might be with the opener unit or power supply. Check that the opener is plugged in, and the circuit breaker hasn’t tripped.

    Make sure the photo-eyes are clean, properly aligned, and have steady lights.

    Pull the red emergency release cord to open or close the door manually. If the stuck garage door won’t open manually, that may point to a spring or cable issue.

    If you notice a visible gap or hear a loud snap before the issue started, the spring likely broke. Do not attempt to repair it yourself.

    If none of these steps solve the issue, contact Mr. Top Garage Doors for prompt service. A technician can diagnose why your garage door gets stuck when closing or remains open.

    When to Call for Professional Help

    It’s important to recognize the difference between a simple fix and a safety risk. Call a professional if you notice any of the following:

    • The garage door is stuck open and won’t respond to the remote
    • You hear grinding, popping, or squealing sounds
    • The garage door gets stuck halfway repeatedly
    • The door appears uneven or titled to one side
    • The opener light flashes but the door doesn’t move

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    Preventing a Stuck Garage Door

    Regular maintenance is the best way to avoid garage door sticking when opening or closing. Here are a few quick maintenance tips:

    • Lubricate moving parts (rollers, hinges, and tracks) every few months
    • Tighten loose hardware
    • Wipe sensors regularly to prevent dust buildup
    • Test door balance once or twice a year by disconnecting the opener and lifting manually. It should stay halfway open without sliding.
    • Schedule annual inspections with a qualified technician

    These steps help prevent future problems like a garage door stuck down or a garage door catching when closing.

    Call the Experts at Mr. Top Garage Doors

    If your garage door is stuck or keeps getting jammed, don’t struggle with it, call the professionals at Mr. Top Garage Doors. Our technicians handle all issues, from garage door stuck halfway problems to full system replacements, serving homeowners across Southwest Florida.

    Call now to schedule fast, reliable service and get your garage door working properly again.

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    Find Answers to Common Inquiries

    Frequently Asked Questions

    A garage door getting stuck when opening or closing usually happens because of dirty sensors, misaligned tracks, or worn hardware. In some cases, the opener settings or broken springs may be to blame.

    You can try clearing obstructions, cleaning sensors, and checking the remote batteries. However, if the garage door is stuck closed or jammed, call a professional for safe repairs.

    If your garage door won’t open, check for power, remote issues, or broken springs. If the garage door stuck on one side or feels unusually heavy, stop using it and contact a technician.

    Yes. In Florida, humidity can cause metal parts to expand and wooden doors to swell, leading to garage door sticking when closing. Routine lubrication helps reduce this problem.

    Regular inspections, lubrication, and sensor cleaning help prevent most issues. Schedule preventive service with Mr. Top Garage Doors to keep your system running smoothly all year.

    To reconnect your garage door after power comes back on, pull the emergency release cord towards the door and then press the wall button or remote to re-engage the opener. Make sure the garage door is fully closed before you attempt to reconnect anything. 

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